ComicBook Countdown for the Week of August 24

There’s nary a week when great comics, movies, or television shows aren’t all vying for our attention. It can be hard to keep up with it all, but that’s why we’re here. Each Monday at ComicBook.Com, we take a look at the five most exciting things coming to the world of fandom to keep you in the know.

5. Hank Johnson: Agent of HYDRA #1 | Marvel Comics

This Secret Wars one-shot looks to be a lot of fun. A humorous look at the suburban life of one HYDRA agent should be able to deliver a lot of laughs tackling both an uncommon perspective in superhero stories and poking fun at middle class life. Artist Michael Walsh has an incredible knack for humorous spy capers , as proven in the most recent volume of Secret Avengers. And writer David Mandel’s work on Curb Your Enthusiasm shows just how well he can craft a joke. Get ready for some serious laughs in the midst of Secret Wars.

4. Hellboy in Hell #7 | Dark Horse Comics

Is there any creator currently working in comics who is as influential as Mike Mignola? There may be a few alternative answers, but not many. Mingola has created a style and universe of stories that are truly his own and almost rival the work of Jack Kirby, the King of Comics. So whenever a new issue of Hellboy in Hell, both written and drawn by Mignola, comes out, it is a cause for celebration.

3. Hannibal, “The Wrath of the Lamb” | NBC

It is the end of Hannibal, for now at least. With no networks currently looking to rescue the recently-dropped series, this may be the final episode. But, at least it’s a good one to go out on. Season three has given viewers both a taste of Hannibal’s past, and a fresh interpretation of his very first story in Red Dragon.It has consistently remained the flashiest and most beautifully shot show on the air. Ultimately, Hannibal was so good that it has done the impossible: created an atmosphere where we would not only accept a Silence of the Lambs remake, but actively demand it. Bravo.

2. Fear the Walking Dead, “Pilot” | AMC

Technically this aired last night, but I missed it on last week’s Countdown and it’s kind of a big deal. This spinoff of one of the most watched shows on television has a few big things going for it. First, it has just as good of a premise as its originating series, unlike a lot of spinoffs that just take one great element. Second, it has a ridiculous amount of goodwill to support it. And finally, it has five years of experience to learn from and hopefully deliver a zombie show where every season is strong. Catch the encore this week and prep yourself for Sunday’s second installment.

1. New MGMT #1 | Dark Horse Comics

This one is a big deal. Matt Kindt’s Mind MGMT has been one of the best comics this decade. Beautiful watercolors, experimental presentations, and a mind-bending espionage plot all show Kindt at his absolute best, a true auteur and master of American comics. Now it all comes to an end in New MGMT #1. While this may be the final chapter of Meru’s story, it’s undoubtedly not the last we will hear of Mind MGMT. It is sure to join the comics canon as a work we will all still be discussing and enjoying for decades.

What new comics, shows, and other releases are you looking forward to this week? Share in the comments below.